Xavier kicks off Mardi Gras season with campus ball 

By JaCorey Law 

Xavierites dusted off their suits, ties, dresses, and party hats to get fancy for Mardi Gras season. The Center for Student Involvement kicked off the carnival time on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, with a formal Mardi Gras Ball for students on campus. 

After an eventful day of classes and activities, students gathered to celebrate with friends through one of New Orleans’ most cherished traditions in an elegant setting. The event was organized by Center for Student Involvement staff members Sharrone Godfrey, the director of the Center for Student Involvement, and Charles Marlin III, the coordinator for events and programs, who dedicated weeks to planning and execution. Anticipation for the ball had been building across campus throughout the week. 

“Mardi Gras is so much more than just the parades, the floats, the beads; it is a very integral part of New Orleans culture,” Godfrey said. “And part of that culture is the balls and all the different parties.” 

The ball brought together students from across the country to experience Mardi Gras culture in a meaningful way. Godfrey, a New Orleans native, said Mardi Gras represents more than a holiday — it is a tradition rooted in family and community. In bringing the event to Xavier, organizers said it was an intentional effort to build community while introducing students to an important local tradition. 

“We wanted the students to have the experience of going to one of these fancy balls that the city puts on around this time without having them spend the money,” Godfrey said. 

Many popular Mardi Gras balls in New Orleans are invite-only or cost between $100 and $300 per ticket, making them inaccessible for many college students. Marlin shared Godfrey’s vision of making the experience available to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity. 

Marlin, a two-time graduate of Xavier has lived in New Orleans for more than seven years. During that time, he attended Mardi Gras balls and events he had never experienced before moving to the city. This experience inspired him to create a similar opportunity for Xavier students. 

“For some people, their only experience going to a ball is prom in high school,” Marlin said. “And for the students coming to the Xavier Mardi Gras Ball, I really hope they get some of that experience at our ball.” 

Among those in attendance was Mya Guy, a senior public health major from St. James, La. While she is familiar with Mardi Gras celebrations, the ball marked her first time attending a formal Mardi Gras event. 

“So far tonight, I think the event is going really well,” Guy said. “I’m enjoying seeing students take part in Mardi Gras culture and experience this for what may be their first time ever.” 

Guy said she appreciated the university’s effort to share Louisiana culture with students from outside the state. 

“I would love for future Xavier students to experience this amazing event,” she said. 

University organizers hope the Mardi Gras Ball will become an annual tradition that strengthens connections among students while celebrating the unique culture of New Orleans. 

“Everybody is just here to have a great time,” Godfrey said. “You can meet people from anywhere and bond over that shared experience.”